About

(1) A philanthropic endeavor disguised as a business, because we all know that it takes funding to help tackle many of the biggest problems facing humanity and our planet.

(2) In the same breath, we want to make ideas the new currency and utilize unconventional means to disrupt and improve the various broken systems that plague the world.

(3) An attempt to build a grassroots movement we're calling the #LoveRevolution. You can help us get there with your generosity because we have more ideas than we/you/us will ever be able to act upon, and that's okay, because we can keep passing the baton on to future generations so they, too, can help tackle the issues of their days and make the world a better place to live in for everyone.

Your $1, $10, $20, or $100 donation can make a real difference in helping us achieve our goals of supporting women, saving the planet, and combating the negativity and hate that currently plagues humanity through positive messaging, highlighting people (especially women) doing good in our world, and encouraging the concept that #IdeasAreTheNewCurrency. We can no longer allow the billionaires and the oligarchs of the world to control our economies, our communities, and our planet. Individuals standing together with the support of forward-thinking corporations can help us address the greed that plagues our governments and so much of our culture.

Here's an infographic of our rewards:

Mad Genius Studios Rewards and Missions

Here's a snippet of our unconventional 5-year business plan. The full version will be shared with backers.

Year 1 (2017): Tour of the #AlreadyGreatAmerica, spreading a message of love, empowerment, and the importance of creativity and unleashing the power of the human mind through collaboration and #SafePlaces to work and create.

Year 2 (2018): Renovating #SafePlaces all over the world that creatives and executives can utilize to hatch their next big idea or hack away at a problem that needs solved once and for all, complete with next steps and potentially craft an entire business plan.

Year 3 (2019): Focus on education in the form of scholarships, continuing education grants, and touring schools and communities with our message of hope, opportunity, and success for all.

Year 4 (2020): Focus full-time on the foundation arm(s) of Mad Genius Studios and Mad Dog Studios, our startup-within-a-startup focused on employees's rights and addressing injustices in the workplace.

Year 5 (2021): By the end of year 5, our goal is to address and eradicate as many issues facing women all over the world as possible. Because when women thrive, communities win, countries excel, and continents unite. To do this, we are going to start working on ALL of these goals right away, little by little. I would much rather these objectives be squeezed into a 1-year business plan (with the speed tech and life move, #1YearBusinessPlans should be the new norm anyway!), but I also want to be realistic in case this Kickstarter doesn't reach its target funding goal.

These BFHAGs (#BigFatHairyAudaciousGoals) were also majorly inspired by my anxiety about the Earth and the damage so many seem intent on doing to our one planet. That worry spilled out in a burst of creativity that inspired a #4DaySprint, during which I created art, Google docs, shopping lists, and wrote feverishly (mind you, before this, I've only ever considered myself a writer and not an "artist"). I also worked out a lot of thinking behind the vision for Mad Genius Studios (including purchasing over 200 domains!) while I created:

Multiple photo shoots

Sketch art

Art installations in our yard and home

Videos

Podcast

New book drafted called Peccadilloes, inspired by one of the speeches Robin Williams gives in Good Will Hunting when he says, "But Will, she's been dead for 2 years, and that’s the stuff I remember: wonderful stuff you know? Little things like that. Those are the things I miss the most. The little idiosyncrasies that only I know about: that’s what made her my wife. Oh she had the goods on me too, she knew all my little peccadilloes. People call these things imperfections, but there not. Ah, that’s the good stuff."

Several drafted #Play-Books (each play-book is an attempt to disrupt a broken system and provide solutions and various perspectives so we can come together to tackle the big issues facing humanity), in which I wrote in the margins and blank spaces on top of my copies of books I owned, including Big Magic (the right for all of us to live creative lives, even if we don't consider ourselves "artists") and The Book Thief (or, why we need a #LoveRevolution so there's never another Max)because all our stories are intertwined and layered on top of all the content we've consumed in our lives and our favorites (i.e. books, music, movies, TV shows, experiences, etc.) impact who we are, how we think, and what we believe. So, it's really, really important we consume quality content, consistently, and Mad Genius Studios wants to inject more positivity, creativity, and solution-oriented thinking into our society through the production and distribution of quality content in many forms, including, eventually, books, music, movies, TV, plays, events, and more.

First of MGS #20Experiments, aka hacking _____ [insert any broken system here], $10,000 or less at a time. #MGSExperiment1, Medical Edition: when I tried to go to the ER but was treated so horribly that I checked in to a luxury hotel and spa instead (thanks, Grove Park Inn!) and spent about half as much money as I would have if I would have actually seen an ER nurse or doctor (don't know when that would have happened since I waited 1.5 hours and still didn't have any vitals checked or even asked to pee in a cup!).

#MGSExperiment2: #KindessIsACurrency. Making generousity the new norm at a place (such as Grove Park Inn) where it should already be the norm among guests (tip big, buy staff gifts, and be kind and generous to your fellow guests, just to name a few)

Experiments/Hypotheses 3-20 + lessons learned will be revealed throughout the Kickstarter, exclusively to backers.

We're confident that others who are given the opportunity to do #4DaySprints will create lots of amazing businesses, art, and more, and a big part of our mission will be to provide spaces and curate these experiences for others so they, too, can chase their dreams and get from where they are to where they want to be with the help of these #4DaySprints in addition to the businesses we will help launch, content we'll produce, experiments we'll conduct, and many, many more missions tied to our vision for Mad Genius Studios.

And the really, really #BFHAG is for every single human being on this planet to have a happy, fulfilling life, on their terms. But it takes lots and lots of work for us to get there, and it's going to take all of us, supporting one another.

BTW: Happy doesn't mean rich; happy doesn't mean gold; happy means being fulfilled and contributing to society in a positive, useful manner. Give people hope and opportunity and an even playing field, and watch the entire world stop hating, stop fighting, and stop being greedy. It's time to #FlipTheScript and make this country and this planet work for all of us. Because, hypothetically, if there ARE aliens, wouldn't it be, uh, better to be, I dunno, a united planet just in case? If not, Earth and humanity as we know it today could just be a blip on the timeline of existence. The Milky Way was here before us, and there will be space after us. Let's change the course of human history for the better, together.

Here's a breakdown of where MGS' first million will go:

Where the first million will go

So, if you're interested in our 5 year vision and want to dive deeper into all of this, backers will gain access to our viewable Google doc that has ONE BIG IDEA: Raising $4.543 billion dollars to take down the Billionaire Class and even the playing field for the rest of us while also saving our planet--number chosen to honor Mother Earth's age ;) And before anyone tries to say this is anti-religion, just stop and think about the fact that the Milky Way is estimated to be 13.21 billion years old. In other words, there is so much we don't know yet and we are still here fighting to go backwards instead sprinting to go forward toward the goal of a happy life for every single person on this planet.

We hope you'll join us for this crazy, fun, and scary ride. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or LinkedIn on our progress, and consider donating $1 to stay in the loop with our Kickstarter updates.

Risks and challenges

Risks: haters, trolls, negativity, fear, inadequate funding

Overcoming these risks: staying positive, only engaging online with fellow #LoveRevolution members and believers, self-care, #SafePlaces and being smart about our finances so we can make big things happen regardless of whether or not this Kickstarter is successful.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Every Biz a B-Corp

What are B Corps? "B Corps are a new type of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems." Corporations, money, and greed have infiltrated nearly every aspect of our society. We need to take back these systems and programs by empowering working people and holding CEOs and executives accountable for their actions. For example, even if environmental regulations are rolled back, your company doesn't have to "take advantage" of these environmentally devastating proposals.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Mad Dog Studios Cleveland

Help us get our other projects off the ground, Mad Dog Studios. This arm of the company will be all about supporting worker's rights. As entrepreneurs for the past 6 years, we've been treated both well and horribly by clients. During this time, I've interacted with tons of people who also work at companies where they feel undervalued, under-heard, and under-appreciated. Not to mention how we feel powerless about where our tax dollars are going and the steps we should can can take regarding mistreatment, harassment, and unfair wages. We want to make Cleveland the headquarters for this arm as we are born and raised Ohioans and die-hard Cleveland Browns fans. Plus, Cleveland is the "Content Marketing Capital of the World," and good content marketing requires great employee advocacy, so this location seems like a natural fit.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Reveal MGS 10 Push Goals

We have 10 more #PushGoals that we are ready to release when this reward reaches 1 million backers (or $1 million dollars, whichever comes first). These are the REALLY, REALLY big goals, and their total adds us to $4,543,000,000 (otherwise known as a matching dollar amount for the age of Planet Earth) with $500,000,000 to be set aside in a "Hardship Fund," which will help communities, families, and businesses that are underfunded, overstretched, underinsured, underpaid, or are facing other emergency situations.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Next #Play-Book

Pledge your dollar to have a say in which #Play-Book we create next from this list: gender equality, climate change, racism, war, travel, tech, education, class warfare, self-care, mental health, space exploration, law enforcement, lifehacking, empowering women, customer service, artificial intelligence, fiscal responsibility, and renewable/sustainable energy (and that's just the #First20). All backers for the "winning" category/topic will receive a digital e-book version of the winning #Play-Book. Remember, each play-book is an attempt to disrupt a broken system and provide solutions and various perspectives so we can come together to tackle the big issues facing humanity.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

20th Events

Every month, we want to organize (from simple to more coordinated) events on the 20th of every month in honor of the birth of MGS on February 20th but also to help keep momentum going through our first year. March 20 will be a live tweet-a-thon of the hearings and news of the day (also will be answering questions and generally hanging out online all day), and April 20 will be (fingers crossed!) us arriving in our renovated Skoolie for the Science March in Washington, D.C. May 20th events and months following are up in the air and will help be decided upon by MGS backers.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Support #NoDAPL

We want to help stop the Dakota Pipeline, and since money talks, we pledge to donate any funds raised in this category directly to #NoDAPL and other pipeline-preventing efforts across the USA (and eventually/possibly, the world).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Give a Dollar, Start a Savings Account

Help us open savings accounts for those in need who either have no emergency savings and/or live paycheck to paycheck. Since an emergency fund of 3-month's salary is the recommended minimum, this will vary from family to family and person to person, but we will go with $10,000 grants and give as many $10,000 increments as are raised in this category.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10 or more
About $10

Mad Genius Studios Sticker

Although many of our goals will be at the $10,000 mark (remember, taking down the Billionaire Class, $10,000 at a time is a big part of the vision), we want everyone who's intrigued to get to be a part of this. Hence, stickers. Our logo is not finalized, but it will be by the end of this Kickstarter and it will be rad.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

MGS Play-Book Ebooks

We've created 4 #Play-Books--remember, each play-book is an attempt to disrupt a broken system and provide solutions and various perspectives so we can come together to tackle the big issues facing humanity. The first #Play-Book was inspired by (and written on) Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, followed by The Book Thief, $100 Startup & The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Pick which you want and I will send you a digital copy.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

Digital Subscription, MGS Magazine

The mission of this magazine will be to share stories of people doing extraordinary things with a focus on women in Year 1. We will feature women from all walks of life, from all over the globe, and the tone will celebrate creativity, innovation, and dogged determination. We'll also have some fun with features about makers, travel, plant-based skin care products, dream bathrooms, top spas, and the ever important topic of self-care, which is not addressed nearly enough in our "Superwoman or Bust"-minded society.

Our goal will be to have a quarterly print issue to start, then move to a monthly print with digital editions being released as soon as possible to backers every month. These backers will also get a print copy of the first print version, slated for release in Winter 2017.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Startup / Problem Hacking #Play-Book

In a 4 day creativity burst, we built the vision for Mad Genius Studios. In the three days after, we decompressed and unpacked everything that had happened. All the tools used, lessons learned, and hacks employed will be condensed into arguably the most important play-book of all: how to hack your way from where you (or your team) are now to where you want to be either personally or professionally. It could be a problem that you discover a solution for, or a whole new concept altogether. Regardless, it needs shared with the world without disrupting your whole life. Hence, the #4DaySprints & #3NextSteps.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Original Mad Genius Studios Renovation

The original Mad Genius Studios in Asheville, North Carolina will be renovated into a smart, safe home that other creatives can utilize to bring their MGS pitches to fruition. Goal is to make these spaces free and/or very affordable for artists. Executives and startups can also utilize these spaces to hack a problem, brainstorm new campaigns, and a host of other business uses.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Mobile Mad Genius Studio Renovation

Mad Genius Studio will be a Skoolie, starting with a Buncombe County school bus and transforming into a mobile studio that will travel the USA spreading love, empowerment, and studio space, hopefully starting it's journey at the Science March in DC. Our five sponsors for this category will be featured on or in the Skoolie (sticker, painted logo, photo shoots, etc.), which will result in lots of positive exposure and awareness.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

20 Pitches

For this arm of Mad Genius Studios, we want to help fund great ideas by women that just need that first $10,000 to get off the ground. Goal is to collect 20+ pitches from all over the world that will then be funded and supported throughout 2017 with the funds raised via this reward.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Build Mad Genius Studios' Website

A custom, interactive, and user-first website will be a must-have in order to have a central hub for all the various arms of Mad Genius Studios (including our two foundations, MadGeniusStudios.org and MadDogStudios.org, which will focus on a variety of causes close to our hearts). We are going to build our own free and easy websites during the Kickstarter, but eventually, we hope to launch a beautiful, smooth, and intuitive website that can grow with us and help people find their tribes and utilize the site in a way that best serves them in that moment.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Play-Book For Your Brand or Project

Send us documents, logos, etc. about your business and we'll sketch out how we perceive it. Next, fly us out to your business or #SafePlace for a 4-day sprint (we will set up all the logistics to make sure it's a productive and fruitful venture). Let us observe and create a Play-Book for Your Brand (remember, this works best in small groups. 4 people are recommended, but up to 20 could work if the venue was large enough and there were nooks for everyone to rest and unwind as we will be holed up for this #4DaySprint. We will do 4 of these for a $1 million fee (covers travel, the expense of the rental if needed, the food/snacks/etc., and other elements needed to make this investment worth every penny) for 1 B-corp, 1 tech brand, 1 startup, and 1 charity/nonprofit as the rest of 2017 will be focused on building Mad Genius Studios. The first could be in June or July, second in August, third could be in October, and the final could be in December. 10 backers would have to coordinate to reach the $1 million mark to secure their group's spot as one of the 4. If more than 4 organizations want to hire MGS, we will start filling out slots for 2018, with an estimate of 6 slots available in 2018, possibly 12 depending on how much time and energy they take to coordinate.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Sketch Your Next Project

Send me documents, photos, your social account links, etc. and we will create a sketchbook filled with content, ideas, art, and more that you can then turn into content for the whole year (and likely, years to come). 1 MGS Sketchbook will contain enough ideas to fill your social feeds with fresh video, photo, and written content for at least 1 year, likely many more. Say goodbye to your advertising agency and hello to a full-time staff who will make your brand shine with the help of our sketchbooks. Again, 1 brand must pool together $1 million dollars in order to receive a custom sketchbook, which means that only 20 brands can back this reward for 2017 (equating to 1 sketchbook per week starting May 1, with the backers getting to vote on the order in which I deliver these).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

Mad Genius Studios Conference

In February 2018, we will be hosting the first Mad Genius Studios conference (official name TBD). Our vision is to host it in the city where all of this really took off: Asheville, North Carolina. Combine that with the fact that many of the business leaders in Asheville have a vision to make our area the B-Corp Capital of the USA, and it makes AVL a perfect home for our annual conference. In 2018, we hope to launch a second conference in Cleveland that hones in on Mad Dog Studios' mission of worker's rights and empowerment. We would look to host this during the NFL football season, because, #BrownsFans, of course.